with the crazy uncle no where around, Xaven smiled, standing beside his parents when she came out into the garden and she could see, flameless Lanterns, and thank god it wasnt one of those overly hot days either, it was just right, with the blue sky, and the white clouds.  when she got done hugging his parents and she came for him. "two in one day" he teased a bit, hugging her back. "im on a roll" giving her a squeeze. "your welcome Nessie" rubbing her back as he held her tightly. "its okay" he whispered, turning and kissing her cheek while his parents nonchalantly looked.. well anywhere but toward them.  his father made sure the table was set, plates were even and such, even as he had a small smirk on his lips.  his mother fussed over the pile of presents, not really a pile, but there was one cookie tin sitting on top of three boxes. 

"okay now" his mother said. "stop hogging the birthday girl.. Vanessa sweetheart come on over and sit down, you've got presents to open and a cake to admire and devour" grinning.  the cake was a Cherry Cheesecake with Chocolate swirls, and no birthday candles anywhere in sight.  Xaven lead her over to the table, smiling as he leaned against the side.  his father held out his present first, a black, leather bound book, her name embossed on the front of it, in gold, with the pages blank, but with her initals at the bottom, also in gold. "everyone needs somewhere to right down their private thoughts, someone that will be completely unbiased to tell anything you want to" he explained. "now" patting her hand. "you have someplace to do it"  Xaven looked at his father. "a book? you got her a book.. you are such a nerd sometimes pops"  "mine next" Xaven's mother said. "now, these are for camp" holding up the tin. "your favorite kind" she smiled. "this one" holding up the photo album.  it was simple, but elegant looking.  light brown covering, silver clasps on the ends.  but when she opened it, she'd find half the pages were already full of just things.. photo's of them all doing vacations, or time she'd stayed over.  "the blank ones are for you to fill up" his mother said, kissing the top of her head. "memories are important" smiling now, in that truly wicked way. "and this, is cause you are seventeen years old now, and if i catch you wearing another one piece i'll kill myself" sliding the last box over. "something for Camp and whenever" inside that was four different styles and types of Bikini's, two pieces.  "sweet" Xaven said, leaning over to take a look, before getting the back of his head smacked by his father.